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Ch. 42 - Circulation and Gas Exchange
Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition
Urry11th EditionCampbell BiologyISBN: 9789357423311Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksUrry 11th EditionCh. 42 - Circulation and Gas ExchangeProblem 2
Chapter 42, Problem 2

Blood returning to the mammalian heart in a pulmonary vein drains first into the
a. Left atrium
b. Right atrium
c. Left ventricle
d. Right ventricle

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the flow of blood in the mammalian circulatory system, which consists of two main circuits: the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit.
Recognize that the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.
Identify the chambers of the heart: the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle.
Recall that the pulmonary veins deliver oxygenated blood to the left atrium of the heart.
Conclude that blood returning to the heart in a pulmonary vein drains first into the left atrium.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Pulmonary Circulation

Pulmonary circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart. This process is crucial for gas exchange, allowing blood to release carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen in the lungs.
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Heart Chambers

The mammalian heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria are the upper chambers that receive blood, while the ventricles are the lower chambers that pump blood out of the heart. Understanding the flow of blood through these chambers is essential for comprehending the heart's function in circulation.
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Left Atrium

The left atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart, specifically responsible for receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. This chamber then transfers the blood to the left ventricle, which pumps it out to the systemic circulation, supplying oxygen to the body.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

One feature that amphibians and humans have in common is

a. The number of heart chambers.

b. A complete separation of circuits for circulation.

c. The number of circuits for circulation.

d. A low blood pressure in the systemic circuit.

Textbook Question

Which of the following respiratory systems is not closely associated with a blood supply?

a. The lungs of a vertebrate

b. The gills of a fish

c. The tracheal system of an insect

d. The skin of an earthworm

Textbook Question

When you hold your breath, which of the following blood gas changes first leads to the urge to breathe?

a. Rising O2

b. Falling O2

c. Rising CO2

d. Falling CO2

Textbook Question

Pulse is a direct measure of

a. Blood pressure.

b. Stroke volume.

c. Cardiac output.

d. Heart rate.